Raise a glass! Our editor share their favourite holiday wines:

Pfaffenheim Gewurztraminer is a mouthful to say but the French wine is floral and fruity and pairs nicely with Thai takeout making for a perfect night in. $18.49 at Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. N.W., Calgary, 403-283-8000, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com —Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary editor

Moving from London back to Vancouver meant that my favourite wines (usually from Spain) were suddenly a lot more expensive. The Rioja Crianza from Campo Viejo is a good staple when you don’t want to spend much money, it is oaky, fruity, and rich (all the things I hate in a white wine but love in a red.) $14.99 from BC Liquor Stores. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver fashion editor

For a sparkler that won’t set you back, we love Sieur d'Arques Première bulle Blanquette de Limoux mousseux (2008) ($17.55). It’s the perfect girly sipper, from the pretty pink label to the fruity bubbles. At selected SAQ locations.  —Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor

As a rare girl that doesn’t like Champagne, I always make sure to stock up on riesling, which can feel just as festive and taste just as sweet. This one by Tantalus is my personal favourite: very floral with strong hints of both apple and pear. Its full-bodied, yet breezy palette makes it a great companion for any celebration. $22.90 at Village VQA Wines.—Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver beauty editor

Cedar Creek Riesling 2010 ($17.90)  I’m a seafood-aholic and this light, bright riesling goes beautifully with almost anything from the ocean. —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver lifestyle editor

Outis Etna is a fabulous wine that we discovered at Terroni. According to Max Stefanelli who runs the L.A. outpost, this ruby red is best paired with meats and caponata. $16 per glass, $74 per bottle at Terroni, 720 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-504-1992, www.terroni.com —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

After living in Argentina, I figure you can't ever go wrong with malbec. The full-bodied flavour and richness of the Andeluna Malbec pairs perfectly with nights spent reminiscing around the fire with old friends. $25 at Firefly Wines, 2857 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-875-3325, www.fireflyfinewinesandales.com —Kelsey Mulyk, Managing editor

Bear Flag's smooth red blend wins points on several counts: a female winemaker, a highly drinkable blend oozing vanilla and cherry, an accessible price point, and an illustrated label by an emerging artist (because, yes, packaging counts!) $ 12.99 at BC Liquor Stores. —Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief

Click on the links for availability at BC Liquor Stores.

Merry Merlot
Who doesn't love Merlot? Penticton's Painted Rock Estate Winery 2007 Merlot ($40) has all the mocha and plummy-ness you want over the holidays. We'd sip this bold bottle in front of a roaring fire with Mr. Right.

Great for a Gift
Elegant labels, and the best Pinot Noir grapes in all the Okanagan, conspire to make the Adieu Pinot Noir from Le Vieux Pins (their last batch of the varietal) a celebratory wine. Would also be a fine choice for a divorce party!  Order by cases of 6 ($35/bottle) at www.levieuxpin.ca for Vancouver delivery.

Bargain Bubbles
Get the weekend started early (like on Wednesday!) by popping a bottle of this unique sparkling Montalto Pinot Grigio ($17.99) from Italy. More complex than your usual bubbles, it has citrus and floral notes.

Aussie Rules
The new batch of Yellowtail Reserves are surefire crowd pleasers. At a recent blind tasting, we were partial to the Shiraz ($15.99), with a blackberry nose and chocolate finish.

The New New Zealand
Countrywide use of screw caps means you won't ever get corked in this section of the liquor store. The crisp and dry Villa Maria Riesling ($15.99) makes a great glass to serve with appies. Cheers!

With the leaves turning gold and the crush in full swing, there’s no better time to hit wine country (with plenty of trunk space).

wine
Neighboring wineries in the Similkameen Valley may get a wee bit of Pinot envy when they get their hands on the 2008 Pinot Noir from Orofino. The husband and wife team have struck gold with this delicious specimen—so scoop it up now before the sommeliers do. Orofino Vineyards, 2152 Barcelo Rd., Cawston, B.C., 250-499-0068, www.orofinovineyards.com

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One of the Okanagan’s original cult wines, Black Hills just turned 10. At a recent vertical tasting of 1999-2008 Nota Bene vintages we pegged the 2008 as the real deal (as was the 2003, but we finished the last remaining bottle—oops). Open it now or lay away for your next notable occasion, like no car day, or the start of a new month. 30880 Black Sage Rd., Oliver, B.C., 250-498-0666, www.blackhillswinery.com

wine
Named for the towering pine rising from the vineyard (pictured), Le Vieux Pin is a must on the wine route. The tropical flavours and crisp acidity are promised and delivered in the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and the elegant and simple label (no sunsets or dogs with umbrellas here) is almost as pleasing as what’s inside. Le Vieux Pin, 34070 73rd and Black Sage Rd., Oliver, B.C., 250-498-8388, www.levieuxpin.ca

dine
Pack your own picnic and take in the stellar views from the communal table on the patio behind La Stella and order a bottle of the delicious “Super Tuscan”-inspired 2007 Fortissimo. So tall, dark and handsome you may want to take one home. 8123 148 Ave., Osoyoos, B.C., 250-495-8180, www.lastella.ca

recline
Well appointed and surrounded by wineries, where better to uncork some of your recently acquired cargo than Watermark Beach Resort. Look out over Lake Osoyoos from your balcony, or place your order at the wine bar downstairs. And for the morning after, a continental breakfast of yogurt, fruit and granola or the create-your-own eggs benedict may be just what the doctor ordered. Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Pl., Osoyoos, B.C., 250-495-5500, www.watermarkbeachresort.com

For a stunning Okanagan photo gallery by Darren Jacknisky of Edmonton's www.bluefishstudios.ca, please visit our Editors' Diary.
For more new Okanagan itineraries, click here.

We scoured our cities (all in the name of research, of course) for divine wines. Uncork these fantastic summer sippers just in time for patio season.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
If you love aromatic whites like I do, make it your Mission to score the very first Viognier released by Mission Hill Family Estate (only 1,000 cases were produced). With a gorgeous scent of orange blossom and a peachy palate, it's like summer in a bottle. $18.99 at www.missionhillwinery.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
On behest of a server at The Corner Suite I tried Domaine Uby’s Colombard-Ugni Blanc, a refreshing, citrusy French white and was wildly surprised by both the taste and the price tag. $11.99 at www.bcliquorstores.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
Cannonball’s label reminds us of spending summers at the lake and catapulting off the dock into the cold water. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s big, bold taste is also perfectly paired with anything from the grill. $29 at Bin 905 Wine and Spirits, 2311 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-261-1600, www.bin905.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor (English edition)
Produced at Tawse’s organic gravity-flow winery, Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2006 will have us chirping for joy all season long. $47.25 at SAQ Signature, 677 Ste-Catherine W., Montreal, 514-282-9445, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor (French edition)
We can’t miss this white from South Africa: Viognier Rustenberg Brampton Coastal Region 2007. Its delicate peach and orange peel scents are perfect with grilled veggies with ginger, fish brochettes on the grill or with a shrimp sauté. Cheers to summer pleasures. $17.50 at www.saq.com

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
Still hooked on Pinot Gris? Our latest fave is from Bodega J&F Lurton. It’s a lovely, dangerously easy-drinking white that tastes like a fortune but rings in at a bargain. $10.95 at www.lcbo.com

Vitamin Daily Vancouver reader Elizabeth wrote, “Hi there, I'm looking for a nice wine and champagne cooler or ice bucket for my boyfriend. Ideally, I'd be able to have it monogrammed. Do you have any suggestions as to where I should go? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks very much.”

Herewith, our picks for cool coolers at three different price points:

For the gadget guy who favours function over flash, the Vacu Vin champagne cooler comes with a removable, reusable insert that chills champagne in five minutes flat sans ice. $64.99 at Homewerx, 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca

Liberty’s silver champagne bucket is perfect for the regal gent. The front features an elegant engraved crest with a spot in the centre for adding your own monogram. $149 at Liberty, 1635 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-682-7499, www.libertyinside.com

A mod man will love the slick and shiny stainless steel cooler by Alessi with room for more than one bottle and a bigger, bolder engraving. $336 at Inform Interiors, 50 Water St., Vancouver, 604-682-3868, www.informinteriors.com

If you missed the swine flu but think you may have a case of the wine flu, take a dose of these winning bottles picked by our staff and you’ll be better in no time.

This sparkling wine from France’s Loire Valley comes in metallic navy blue packaging with gold script lettering, meaning it looks (and tastes) tres cher, but isn’t. We always keep some in the fridge in case of ‘emergency.’ Monmousseau Cuvée J.M. Brut, $18.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

The elegant ivory Paul Mas label looks perfect on your sideboard. And with notes of leather, tobacco and cherry, guys will love this hefty French bargain, too. Paul Mas Grenache Noir, 2007, $11.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

We’ll be ringing in a new decade with a firm patriotic stand with Trius Brut Niagara Peninsula Mousseux. Part Chardonnay and part Pinot Noire, Niagara’s Trius Brut Mousseux has lovely notes of citrus and apple. $25.70, www.saq.com
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

A nice alternative to champagne, this Italian Prosecco is organic, refreshing, readily available and inexpensive. What's not to love? Villa Teresa Frizzante Prosecco Veneto, $15.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Vouray Moncontour ($19.95) has bubbles so delicate and refined, it’s more like Champagne. Or go crazy and splash out for a bottle of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut Champagne 1999 ($98.25) to drink with your lover. www.saq.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French editor

Red, white, rosé: our editor’s sniffed and sipped their way through plenty of bottles of vino and found some delicious summer sippers. Cin cin.

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
This summer we’re drinking Twisted ($16.95) from Flat Rock Cellars. It’s part-Chardonnay, part-Gewurztraminer, part-Riesling and all lovely drinking. At LCBO, www.lcbo.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor
All season we’ll be sipping Malbec/Cabernet Fuzion Organico ($13.90) and dreaming of hot Buenos Aires milongas. At SAQ, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition
While dinner is roasting on the barbeque, enjoy a small glass of the white wine apéritif Dom Brial Muscat de Rivesaltes 2008 ($18.65). At SAQ, www.saq.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
The third vintage from British Columbia’s Joie Farms, my pick is the Alsace-inspired A Noble Blend ($37). At Bin 905, www.bin905.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
The Okanagan winery turns out award-winning varietals year after year and the crips and floral Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2007 ($22) white with a touch of lychee sweetness is no exception. At Firefly Fine Wines and Ales, www.fireflyfinewinesandales.com

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
A recent trip to Naramata, B.C. had us picking up festive pink 1.5 litre bottles of Joie Rosé ($44) at the corner store—it's Alice Waters’ favourite rosé and the only Canadian wine served at her famous Chez Panisse in Berkley. For retailers visit www.joie.ca

We explored the Okanagan Valley vintners by vehicle and found beaches, nibbles and bottles of blush.

stay
Nix the motor inns: Osoyoos is now home to the lap of luxury at Walnut Beach Resort. In between your winery crawls, soak in the lakeside hot tubs, or curl up under a Palapa umbrella on the private beach for instant exoticness. In addition to the fully-equipped suites, poolside BBQs allow you to grill Golden Mile goodies while taking in the desert sunset. Walnut Beach Resort, 4200 Lakeshore Dr., Osoyoos, www.walnutbeachosoyoos.com

eat
Before tackling the Naramata Bench, fuel up at Summerland’s Victoria Road Deli & Bistro with scrumptious updates on the ol’ panini press. Its signature sandwich features house cured duck, ham and portobello mushrooms, while its mixed frites boast potato, yam and parsnip with smoked tomato and cherry ketchup. On your way out pick up Poplar Grove’s Double Cream Camembert from the adjoining deli for a perfect picnic pairing. Victoria Road Deli & Bistro, 108-13615 Victoria Rd. N, Summerland, www.victoriard.com

shop
Leave Ogopogo souvenirs to the kiddies—on trend this season is the Okanagan rosé. Unlike most syrupy pink Zinfandels, these subtle sippers invoke herbs and stewed strawberries. Our top choices to pick up on your travels are Le Vieux Pin’s 2008 VaΪla Pinot Noir Rosé, See Ya Later Ranch’s 2008 Nelly and Therapy’s 2008 Pink Freud. The only buyer’s remorse you may have depends on whether your trunk is big enough to fit them all. www.sylranch.com

When it comes to big parties or picnics, winos have had two options: elegance at the risk of shattering your fine crystal, or practicality in the form of  ugly plastic cups. We’re tickled rosé to report there’s a third.

The Govino wineglass looks like stemless crystal, but is pharmaceutical-grade plastic that’s unbreakable, reusable and, after a few uses, recyclable. Originally developed for trade wine tastings, there’s even a small thumb indentation to better your grip after a few.

So whether or not we stay classy after one too many, the cup has us covered.

$2.95/glass at Artisan Wine Shop, 119-123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, 604-264-4008, www.artisanwineshop.ca